May election scheduled to replace Sen. John Gleason - WNEM TV 5

A special election will be held in May to fill an open Michigan Senate seat in Genesee County.

The 38-member Senate is missing a member because former Democratic Sen. John Gleason left halfway through his term after being elected Genesee County clerk.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday called a special election to be held May 7. A primary will be March 12 if necessary.

No local elections had been scheduled to be held until August, making a general special election unlikely until November. But the Republican governor says it's in the best interest of residents to fill Gleason's seat sooner so they have representation.

Republicans hold a 26-11 majority in the Senate.

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